Small object dispenser



Sept. 11, 1962 M. 1.. KAHN 3,

SMALL OBJECT DISPENSER Filed May 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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Sept. 11, 1962 M. L. KAHN 3,053,383

SMALL OBJECT DISPENSER Filed May 13, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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United States Patent 015 ice 3,053,383 Patented Sept. 11, 1962 3,053,383 SMALL OBJECT DISPENSER Milford Lee Kahn, 1S-369 Forest Trail, Elmhurst, Ill. Filed May 13, 1960, Ser. No. 29,092 4 Claims. (Cl. 206-42) This invention relates to an improved dispenser for pills, tablets, capsules or the like and has for a primary purpose the provision of a dispenser which may be easily carried in the pocket of a shirt or jacket.

Another purpose of the invention is a dispenser of the type described which may be quickly assembled by the druggist with a minimum of effort.

Another purpose is a low cost dispenser of the type described designed to replace the common vial or bottle conventionally used by druggists.

Another purpose is a novel dispenser of the type described having a transparent portion through which the contents may be viewed and a small trap door for easy removal of the contents.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of my improved dispenser, with a portion of one corner cut away,

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of my improved dispenser with a portion of one end cut away,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the dispenser of FIG- URES l and 2,

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a paper board blank used in my improved dispenser,

FIGURE 5 is a section along plane 5-5 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a further form of dispenser, and

FIGURE 7 is a bottom view of FIGURE 6, showing a variant form of trap door.

A somewhat rectangular hollow container 10, which is preferably a transparent plastic, but may be otherwise, has tapered side walls 12, 14 and tapered end walls 16, 18. Each corner 20 may be outwardly offset for reinforcement of the container. The container may have a generally flat top surface 22 and a continuous outwardly directed flange 24 along the bottom surface thereof. The flange 24 may be continuous, as shown in the drawings, or there may be a flange or group of flanges extending outwardly from each individual side of the container.

The bottom of the dispenser is formed by a blank 26, preferably of paper board, cardboard or the like, which is scored intermediate its ends, at 28, to divide the blank into two generally equal sections. Each of the outer four corners of the blank may be curved, as at 30, as may the corners 32 adjacent the score line 28. The curved corners are only for appearance and are not necessary to the invention.

The left hand section 34 of the blank 26 has a generally central opening or cut-out 36 generally equal in size and shape to the hollow upright body portion of the container 10. The Opening 36 forms a border area 3*8 which supports the flange 24 of the container during as sembly of the dispenser.

The right hand section 40 of the blank 26 has a border area 42 covered with a layer of adhesive 44. The adhesive area 44 is generally equal in size and shape to the border area 38 on the opposite or first section of the blank. A tear-away paper sheet 46 may be positioned on top of blank section 40 to cover the adhesive layer, much as in a bandaid. In the alternative the sheet 46 may resemble blank section 34 and only cover the adhesive area 44. Before assembly the tear-away paper is pulled off to expose the adhesive surface.

A trap door 48 is positioned in the blank section 40, which forms the bottom of the dispenser, and comprises a door portion 50 having a small gripping element 52, and a frame portion 54 hinged to the door 50 at 56. Both the door and frame are preferably plastic and have their opposed edges formed with a slight taper, as at 58 and 60 respectively, for a smooth close fit. The door 50 is merely pushed or snapped into the frame 54. A quick tug or pull on the gripping element 52 opens the door. Preferably, the frame 54 has upper and lower flanges, 62 and 64 respectively, defining a continuous groove 66 which receives the blank section 40. The frame 54 may be snapped into the blank section 40.

As shown in the drawings, the trap door 48 is rectangular although it may be otherwise. Preferably, the trap door is positioned adjacent one end of the dispenser and is positioned inside the adhesive area 44.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show a further form of dispenser which includes a transparent plastic container 70, similar to the container 10, mounted on a generally rectangular base 72. In this form of the invention the container has an outwardly projecting flange 74 which may be heat sealed to the surface of the base 72. Preferably the flange 74 is continuous, although there may be a separate flange on each side. By heat sealing the flange 74 to the base, the container is greatly simplified, although special equipment is then necessary for assembly. The flange 74 may extend to the edge of the base 72 or it may stop short of the edge.

In the form shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 there is a trap door 76, similar to that shown in FIGURES 1-5, which is snapped into a suitable opening in the base 72. In this case the trap door is round rather than rectangular.

The use, operation and function of the invention are as follows:

Shown and described herein is an improved dispenser for use in packaging pills, tablets, capsules and the like. The dispenser is small and compact and easily assembled and may be carried in the pocket of a jacket or a shirt without a noticeable bulge. The dispenser may be manufactured at an extremely low cost and is therefore highly acceptable to the professional druggist.

In assembling the dispenser shown herein, the blank 26 is preferably laid over a suitable mold or form. with the cut-out 36 positioned over a well or hole of suflicient size to hold the container 10. Preferably, such a mold or form would have three or more wells, one for each size of dispenser that the druggist commonly uses. After the blank is properly positioned, the container is set into the well with the flange 2.4 of the container overlying the border area 38 of the blank. The druggist then fills the container with appropriate pills for the particular prescription. Next, the tear-away strip 46 on the right side of the blank is pulled off exposing the adhesive area 44. The blank is then folded along score line 28 and bent over until the right side of the blank is laying on top of the left side of the container. A small amount of pressure along the border area will bond the right side of the blank to the flange extending outwardly from the container and to the border area 38 on the left side of the blank. This completes the assembly of the dispenser with the possible exception of the placement of a label on the bottom area spaced from the trap door 4 8. Such a label may be pasted in or may be printed on prior to assembly.

Of particular advantage in my dispenser is its size and shape. It is flat, easily carried in the pocket of either a shirt or jacket. Preferably the dispenser is transparent so that the contents, for example pills or capsules, can be easily seen. The bottom of the dispenser has a small trap door which may approximate the size of a pill or capsule. The trap door provides a tight secure closure that may be easily opened.

Preferably, the flange 24 extending outwardly from the container is of a width such that it does not completely cover the border area 38. There should be sufficient area between the edge of the flange and the outside of the border area to bond the border area to the blank section 40. However, in the alternative, the flange on the container may extend the complete width of the border area or in other words, the flange 24 may be as wide as the adhesive area on the blank section 40. In this case it would not be necessary to use the cut-out or left section of the blank. After the container was filled, the bottom surface could then be glued onto the flange to complete the dispenser.

The dispenser shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 may be assembled prior to use by the druggist. The container 70, again preferably a transparent plastic, is heat sealed to the paper board base. The dispenser is filled after assembly and the druggist merely pours the pills, capsules or other contents through the trap door. The trap door provides easy access to both fill the dispenser and to remove an individual capsule or the like as needed. The door has slanted mating surfaces so that it may be tightly closed, yet opened with a quick pull.

Although the dispenser has been shown and described as being generally rectangular in shape, it could be otherwise, for example, square or oval.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be realized that there are many modifications, substitutions and al-terations thereto within the scope of the following claims.

For example, the dispenser shown herein may be used in connection with tacks, nails, nuts and bolts, or a variety of other small objects.

I claim:

1. A dispenser for pills, capsules, tablets or the like including a flat somewhat rectangular base and a transparent somewhat rectangular hollow plastic container mounted thereon, said container having outwardly directed flanges along the edges thereof, said flanges being bonded to said base, and a trap door substantially smaller in area than said container and formed in the base at a position opposite the hollow container to provide access thereto, said trap door including a frame mounted in said base and a door hinged to said frame and adapted to be snapped into said frame.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said trap door is generally rectangular and is positioned adjacent one end of said base.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said frame and door have mating slanted edges.

4. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said frame includes spaced flanges which are positioned on opposite sides of said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,139,377 Mull et al. Dec. 6, 1938 2,796,985 Gorton June 25, 1957 2,813,624 Phipps NOV. 19, 1957 2,892,541 Hahn June 30, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,174,762 France Nov. 10, 1958 

